A federal grand jury in South Carolina has brought criminal charges against a Myrtle Beach pastor accused of orchestrating a prolonged campaign of harassment against his estranged wife leading up to her 2024 death, which was ruled a suicide. Court filings allege the pastor employed invasive surveillance tactics, shared intimate images without consent, and misled investigators about his actions. Legal experts say the case underscores how digital harassment can escalate into serious federal offenses.
Allegations of Harassment and Surveillance
Federal prosecutors charged 46-year-old John-Paul Miller with cyberstalking and making false statements to federal investigators after reviewing evidence of persistent unwanted communications directed at his estranged wife, 30-year-old Mica Miller, from late 2022 until her death in April 2024.
According to the indictment, Miller allegedly posted a nude photo of Mica online without her consent, repeatedly contacted her — in some instances dozens of times in a single day — and initiated actions that interfered with her personal and daily life. Law enforcement also alleges he placed tracking devices on her vehicle and damaged her tires.
Federal court records indicate Miller attempted to explain his behavior by telling investigators he hired a private investigator to prevent his wife from acquiring a firearm. Prosecutors say the real motive was to monitor her for alleged infidelity. Officials also claim Miller denied causing harm to her vehicle, despite evidence of tire-sabotaging tools purchased in his name.
Investigation Timeline and Legal Proceedings
Mica Miller was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at Lumber River State Park in North Carolina on April 27, 2024. Authorities ruled the death a suicide at the time, but the circumstances sparked scrutiny and advocacy from her family and supporters who questioned whether she had been adequately protected from harassment.
The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office formally referred information to federal prosecutors in 2024, prompting a broader investigation that included an FBI search of the pastor’s home later that year. Miller was arrested and indicted in December 2025. His arraignment is scheduled for January 12, 2026 in federal court in Florence, South Carolina.
If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison for cyberstalking and up to two years for making false statements, along with potential fines reaching $250,000.
